Nuclear energy Essay | Essay

Nuclear Energy

Summary: Examining the pros and cons of nuclear energy is an important step in determining the alternative energy source needed to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and the consequent pollution and global warming. To do so requires an understanding of nuclear power and the concept of fission, as well as an understanding of what avoidable factors caused accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. Despite these few well-publicized incidents, nuclear energy is a safe, clean, and cheap answer to our energy problems; the U.S. Navy has proven that nuclear power works safely, and it is time for civilian institutions to follow suit.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Chernobyl--Three Mile Island-- Tokaimura-- What do these places have in common? Chernobyl in is the Ukraine; Three Mile Island, the United States; Tokaimura, Japan. These cities are all sites of nuclear energy plant accidents. Chernobyl being the worst by far of these three incidents. What happened? What went wrong? To understand these accidental disasters, one must first understand nuclear power, grasp the concept of fission, and analyze the safety errs whether human or mechanical.

It only makes sense that as the population's reliance on technology advances and grows, a greater need for electricity to power these computers, refrigerators, lights, and other gadgets will also grow. For many years, fossil fuels have been used to generate the needed electricity, as well as excessive air pollution. Due to this pollution, a global warming trend has occurred. This trend is detrimental to the human race and all life on...